Concrete-block machine.



No. 800,251. PATENTED SEPT. 26, 1905.

E. M. WALTON.

CONCRETE BLOCK MAGHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 8,1905.

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' EDGAR M. WALTON, OEKANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

OONQRETE-BLQCK MACHINE.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that LEDGAR M. WALTON, :a citizen of the United States, residing at Kansas City, in the county of Jackson and State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Concrete-Block Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to concrete-blockmolding machines; and the object of my invention is to provide means for facilitatingthe interchanging of different face-plates and at the same time cheapening'the constructionof that part of the machine to which theinvention is applied.

In concrete-block machines as at present constructed the side and end plates of themolding-box are made from heavy castings and are connected to thefixed frame of the machine by hinges or the-like. Having this construction, each machine must be provided with as many extra faceplates as there are styles .of block-faces-to be produced. For

example, for twelve difierent block-faces at least twelve different face-plates are required, and when substituting one of these plates for another the operator has to detach the-heavy plate bodily fromthe machine and attach the desired heavy plate in its place.

This Invention consists in providing comparatively light-weight and inexpensive faceplates, with means by which'they may readily be attached or detached to or from the heavy v mold-plates of the machine.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an end elevation of a concrete-block machine proyided with my improvement. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the opposite end, the operating-lever beingomitted. Fig. 3-is a side elevation of the machine, showing the slotted mold side, a portion of the operating-lever being broken away. Fig. 4 is an inside face view ofya compound interchangeable faceplate for molding a rock-face block. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section taken on line a t of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a transverse section of the mold-box detached, taken on line 0 d of Fig. 3. Ifiig. 7 is a face view of a single faceplate which may be employed for the same purpose as the compound plate shown in Fig. 4.

In the style of machine illustrated, 1 designatesthesupporting-legs, which support a fixed frame 2. The ends of the fixed frame comprise, in addition to the legs, two vertical slotted guides 3, in which are mounted Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed July 8, 1905. Serial No- 268,873.

Patented Sept. 26, 1905.

two vertically-slidable blocks 4. The lower ends of said blocks are held in engagement with the guides by pairs of clips 5, bolted to the latter. Secured toor integral with the slidable blocks 4'are two yokes 6-, the upper ends of which support -a hollow rectangular frame 7, referred to hereinafter.

Mounted on a longitudinal rock-shaft 8, near the bottom of the machine and at the respective ends thereof, are two upwardlyextending levers 9 and 10. Lever 9 may be enlarged, as shown, and secured thereto is the operating-lever 12. Levers 9 and 10 are pivotally connected at 13 and 14 with two upwardly-extending links 15 and 16, the upper ends of which are pivotally connected at 17 and 17 to the middle points of the yokes 6.-

One of the clips 5 is provided with astop 18, which limits the operative stroke of the hand-lever 12. When said lever is thrownover to the position shown in Fig. 1,-the hol-' low frame 7 is thereby raised to its full height. I 19 is the bottom of the mold-box and is" supported by the fixed frame 2. This frameisprovided with end hinge-lugs 20, and itssides are provided with hinge-lugs 21.

22v designates one of the sides of the mold,= and 23 theopposite side. These plates are provided with hinge-lugs 24, which are connected to the aforesaid fixed hinge-lugs 21. 25and 26 designate the respective ends of the mold, theybeingprovided with hinge-lugs 26', which are connected to the fixed hinge-lugs 20 at the ends of the fixed frame 2. Cast upon the outer faces of said end and side plates are curved ribs 27, which act ascamswhen engaged by the moving frame 7. Said frame does not directly engage the said ribs; but the latter are respectively engaged by suitable wear-blocks 28, which are adjustably secured .to frame? with screws 29. As these blocks (or the ribs 27) wear away the blocks are adjusted to take up the lost motion, so that the sides and ends of the mold will always be raised to the full height in operation. When the lever 12 is lowered, the hollow frame 7 descends, thus permitting the mold sides and ends to drop to-permit the removal of a block.

It will be observed that one of the mold sides 23 is provided with two longitudinal slots 30. Referring now to Figs. 5'and 6, the function of said slots will be apparent. 31 is a face-plate made separate from the mold side 23 and having its face in this instance irregularly formed, so as to produce a rockface block. Extending from one end of plate 31 to the end of the mold side 23 is a similar but shorter detachable face-plate 32. Two face-plates are arranged in this manner when molding two blocks at once. In order to supportadivision-plate (not shown)for separating the two blocks, a groove 38 is cut in the vertical abutting corners of the two face-plates,0ne half the groove in each, as shown in Fig. 5. It is not absolutely necessary that two faceplates, as 31 and 32, be employed, as shown, for a single face-plate of the same configuration may extendthe full length of the mold side, as shown in Fig.7. The face-plates are held in position by screw-studs 33, the heads of which are embedded therein, and wing-nuts 34 thereon. These wing-nuts are easily attached and detached by the thumb and finger of the operator., The face-plates 31 and 32 are shown as about equal in thickness to the mold side 23; but they may be made materially thinner and serve the purpose equally well. The slots provide openings at various points for the reception of the screw-studs 33. These slots are bridged over by the ribs 27 and are not, as shown, interrupted thereby. As shown,

. the slotted mold side 23 is bulged outwardly in order to provide a suitable recess for the reception of the interchangeable face-plates. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, said face-plates are intended to have a peripheral bearing only upon their supporting-plate. To this end grooves are planed out of the inner periphery of the supporting-plate, and corresponding shoulders 35 are planed on the outer peripheries of the face-plates. Thus an accurate .bearing is afforded for the face-plates regardless of the irregularity of their configurationthat is to say, their face configuration.

In Fig. 6 an end rock face-plate 36 is shown. This will be employed in connection with the lateral face plate or plates when molding corner-blocks and certain other forms.

The interchangeable face-plates may be cast in an unlimited variety of forms.

The advantages arising from the use of this improvement are that it is easier to interchange the light face-plates than to interchange the heavy hinged plates, and these light face-plates may be manufactured at less cost than the heavy hinged plates.

The mold ends 25 and 26 are provided with slots 30, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, for the reception of the screw-studs of the interchangeable end face-plates, one of which is shown.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is v 1. In a concrete-block machine, a plurality of interchangeable face-plates provided with outwardly-projecting screwstuds, in combination with a hinged mold member which is provided with openings adapted to receive said studs.

2. In a concrete-block machine, a hinged mold member provided with a slot, and a detachable face-plate provided with means passing through the slot for attaching the faceplate to the mold member.

3. In a concrete-block machine, a hinged mold member provided with two slots, and a detachable face-plate provided with means passing through the slots for attaching the face-plate to the mold member.

L. In a concrete-block machine, a hinged mold member having openings adapted to receive projections on a detachable face-plate, in combination with a detachable face-plate which is provided with such projections, and nuts for securing said projections in position.

In testimony whereof I allix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

EDGAR M. \VALTON.

Witnesses:

K. M. IMBODEN, J AMES FAImvnmrmm. 

